As a film director, Asian American, father and general consumer of news and culture, I consider myself well-versed in many things, especially when it comes to issues impacting my community. Though I recently found myself embarrassingly uneducated, and frankly shocked by a health issue that disproportionately affects Asian Americans: hepatitis B.
In my new documentary film, Be About It, I address this issue head on. Two very brave men and their families talk openly about their experiences with hepatitis B. From family history and life celebrations, to health scares and their hopes for an uncertain future, this film is a poignant look at the impact of this condition.
After spending considerable time with the families and hearing their stories, I soon learned the stark realities about hepatitis B. One in 12 Asian Americans has chronic hepatitis B and it is the leading cause of liver cancer in this community. The particularly difficult aspect is that two out of three don't know they have it, and because there often aren't any symptoms, people can go years before realizing that anything might be wrong. That's one reason why hepatitis B is called a "silent disease."
The other problem is that nobody is talking about it. Most people don't think about conditions like hepatitis B unless they or a loved one are personally impacted. While this is true in most cultures, Asians and Asian Americans tend not to talk about or address perceived taboo topics like infectious diseases or viruses for fear of being judged or shunned by family or friends. Within families and communities, hepatitis B is often shoved under the rug due to shame and misperceptions. People associate it with coming into contact with contaminated food or something dirty, or assume it can be spread through casual contact - none of which are true. I'm now on a mission to change this - to help raise awareness, and more importantly, to impact behavior and reduce the stigma associated with one of the biggest health threats facing my community.
The encouraging news is that it's preventable and treatable. Older generations can end the cycle by vaccinating their kids and getting diagnosed early. If more people share their stories like the families in the film, we can break down barriers and ensure hepatitis B is not kept quiet, but instead, a condition we feel comfortable discussing and addressing openly.
I'm so grateful to everyone who opened their lives to us with complete transparency and vulnerability.
As a documentary filmmaker, I look for real stories that can make an impact. BE ABOUT IT is no exception, and I hope it creates a movement around hepatitis B - a real shift in the way people think and talk about it. It is my wish that BE ABOUT IT not only motivates the Asian American community to approach their doctors about getting tested and treated, if appropriate, but also inspires others to live with awareness, courage and hope.
Be About It was created with support from Gilead Sciences.